– Bryan On Scouting

After crossing over from Pack 82 to Troop 99 in Benton, Ark., Nicholas Burrell was looking forward to many campouts, fishing trips and summer camp adventures. But before he could complete his first year in the older youth program, the 11-year-old went to see a doctor about the intense headaches he began having — and…

William D. Boyce didn’t start the BSA all by himself. Sure, he was the man who signed the papers to make the Boy Scouts of America official — at exactly 11:03 a.m. on Feb. 8, 1910. But just like the volunteers who start new BSA units every year, Boyce had plenty of help. For Boyce, that…

Welcome to Scouts Then and Now, a Bryan on Scouting blog series. The premise is simple. We share two photos of the same Scout or Venturer: once in his or her early Scouting years (Cub Scout, younger Scout, younger Venturer) and again in his or her later Scouting years (Life Scout, Eagle Scout, older Venturer). Find Chapter…

Picking the best unit website is a bit like selecting the best recipe for Dutch oven cobbler. There are way too many to choose from, and because it’s all about taste, the selection process is totally subjective. But after browsing hundreds of unit websites, I’ve come up with a list of 10 that do it…

Every few years, the BSA updates its Annual Health and Medical Record after consulting with health care professionals, Scout executives, council and camp health officers and other experts to ensure it is up-to-date and helpful. This was one of those years, meaning a new form is available for everyone to use for 2020. Your AHMR…

One of my favorite things about the holiday season is the spirit of generosity that never fails to show out in full force. It just seems like the brisk air and long, dark, twinkly nights are synonymous with giving. In true alignment with the season and with the values of Scouting, This year, just like…

When it comes to the Scout Law, last is certainly not least. Being “reverent” is a year-round part of a Scout’s life, but there’s one time each year when the connection between Scouting and faith takes on even more significance. It’s Scout Sunday, held every February. The annual celebration gives Scouts a highly visible way to…

Think of it as a drive-thru in reverse. Instead of picking up, say, a chicken sandwich and waffle fries at the drive-thru, a bunch of Los Angeles area drivers left behind canned items for a good cause. The eighth annual Food Drive-Thru, held last month, was staffed by Scouts and Venturers from the Western Los…

When you cycle 1,500 miles, you’re bound to run into a few problems. “I had five flat tires — my tire exploded once,” Star Scout John McBroom says. “I had a couple of crashes.” But that didn’t stop John or Eagle Scout Akhil Long, both 16-year-old Scouts with Troop 4010 of Clarksvillle, Ind., who completed…

An Eagle Scout project is an extreme act of service. It requires meticulous planning, servant leadership and a professional juggler’s ability to multitask. Most young people wouldn’t embark on such a difficult endeavor. Nicolas Salazar isn’t most young people. The 15-year-old Eagle Scout from Troop 400 of Pace, Fla., part of the Gulf Coast Council,…